Follow the steps in the ‘How to enrol – step by step guide’ then scroll through the rest of the page.

Non-English-speaking children

If your child is assessed by the school as having few or no English skills, they may be referred to an Intensive English Centre. Such referrals are available only to students with permanent residency status. Students on some temporary visas may also be eligible.

Schools in Western Australia

Every child from pre-primary to year 12 on a permanent visa is guaranteed a place at their local public school.

Children on certain visa subclasses may need to enrol as full fee-paying students with enrolment at the discretion of the school’s Principal and subject to capacity.

As private schools can be competitive, it’s a good idea to register your child early to secure them a place.

Children must attend school from pre-primary through to the age of 16. If your child is 16 or 17 years old, they must be:

enrolled in a school or a training organisation;

employed; or

in a combination of school/training/employment.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten is the first year of schooling for your child in WA and although it is not compulsory, it is highly recommended as the learning programs are based on children’s interests with a focus on social, emotional, pre-literacy, pre-numeracy and physical development. Programs are part time and it’s a good idea to contact your local public school to find out just how their kindergarten is set up.

If your child is four years old by 30 June, they are eligible to go to kindergarten at the start of the following year.

If they were born after 1 July, they will be eligible to start kindergarten the year after. The Hello Kindergarten! booklet​​ gives you an idea of what to expect when your child starts kindergarten.

Pre-primary

This is the first compulsory year of schooling in WA and your child must be enrolled at school and attend every day. Visit the Enrolling in​ school page​​ for more information.

Primary school

Once your child has completed pre-primary, they move on to primary school where they attend from years 1–6 and cover eight core subject areas – English, mathematics, science, society and environment, technology and enterprise, languages, the Arts, and health and physical education. The Learning in primary school page​ can provide you with more information.

Secondary school

Your child then goes to secondary school from years 7–12 where a number of schools run approved speci​alist programs​. Most children start year 7 in the year they turn 12 and year 12 in the year they turn 17, with many attending the public secondary ​school​​ closest to their home.